Hello! Welcome! One thing I can say around here is, no two weeks are the same. I got the results of my MRI and made some adjustments to my routine… read on! I’m linking up with Kim and Deborah for this weekly rundown. Let’s get started!
Monday
I did a 30 minute yoga flow class with my favorite, Denis Morton on the Peloton app in the morning. THEN, I CALLED THE DOCTOR. Rewind to last week… the doctor never called me with the results of the MRI I had on Wednesday. They seemed to feel that it was perfectly natural that I would be calling them (instead of the other way around, ahem) and the doctor told me… that there’s basically nothing wrong, other than the thickened plantar fascia.
Even worse than the heel pain is the pain I’m feeling on the side of my foot. They even put a little marker on the spot when I had the MRI to make sure the radiologist looked at that area. So I was initially frustrated that nothing showed up.
My doctor said he wanted to go ahead with PRP injections, but I decided it’s time for a new doctor. My current doctor is a sports chiropractor and he’s doing his best, but I want a podiatrist. I got a recommendation (he’s a runner!) and made the first appointment I could get, which is October 19th. In the meantime…
Tuesday
I started the day with a 2.5 mile walk. I just couldn’t face another pool run- I wanted to be moving forward. After the walk I did a 20 minute power yoga class (all classes this week were on the Peloton app with Denis Morton) and then in the afternoon, did a 30 minute slow flow class.
Wednesday
Started the day with a 60 minutes yoga flow class. Then…
In the afternoon I went for a “walk.” Now, when I go for a “walk,” and I’m wearing my running clothes and shoes, what I really mean is, I’m going out for a brisk walk, BUT, if everything feels okay, I’ll probably break into a run. And that’s what I did! I walked one mile, and then decided my foot was feeling up to a little running. I ran a mile back home. AND IT FELT AMAZING.
It’s funny what a difference one little mile makes. Just that short run boosted my mood tremendously. My digestion had been feeling off all week, and that run got it back on track.
Thursday
I did a 45 minute yoga flow in the morning. My foot hurt, but you know what? I don’t care. I had an MRI and there’s no damage to any bones, tendons, or ligaments. The current flare up seems to have calmed down, and I’m back to the usual heel pain. I might as well run, at least a little, until I see the doctor.
Friday
Did another 1 mile walk/1 mile run in the morning. This time it felt okay while I was running but the pain returned to the outside of my foot afterwards. Actually it hurt in a completely different place- I would love to know why, but I’ve learned not to ask that type of question. Again, I was just happy to run at all.
Flashback to high school PE. I grew up in Illinois where it was a state law that everyone had PE, every single school day, K-12. That was fun in elementary school, but got worse and worse the older we got, particularly for us un-athletic teenagers. One dreaded event was when we had to run “the mile.” This occurred twice freshman year, and sporadically throughout the rest of high school. We ran on an indoor track which was 1/10 of a mile long. Ten times around that track was absolute torture. So funny to think of that now, when I’m begging and pleading the universe to “just let me run one mile” so I can feel better!
After running “the mile” I did one of my favorite 20 minute power yoga classes- lots of lower body strength work.
Saturday
Did a 45 minute “slow flow” class in the morning. Until this week I avoided the slow flow classes, but now I’m really liking them. Taking more time in the poses does not make it easy! As Denis said “Just because we’re going slow doesn’t mean we’re not sweating..”
In the afternoon I did two focus flow classes, recommended by Deborah in her last post, “The Best Peloton Yoga Classes for Runners.” I loved the hamstring focus because it was strength as well as flexibility, and the hip flow, well… it had my favorite pose! Funny thing- some of my muscles are so tight, I have to really modify a lot of poses. I can’t even think about doing the full pigeon, for example. But I am a pro at lizard pose- don’t ask me why. I always get happy when Denis says we’re going to do it- yes! Something I’m good at.
Sunday
I ran! This time I walked one mile and ran two miles!!!
If the “me” of a year ago had looked at my current training log I would be like, what in the world???? Why am I running a mile? Why is my Sunday run only two miles? And what is up with all the YOGA??? Ha ha… times change, don’t they.
My foot felt pretty good on this run, but I’m not fooling myself… I’m just managing the situation as best I can until I see the doctor. Running one or two miles feels way better than not running at all, so I’m going with it. Later on today I’ll be doing yoga… of course.
And now… I’m watching the Chicago Marathon! Go Sara! Go Emma! Go Galen! I’m so excited for everyone running today.
Are you watching the marathon? Who are you rooting for?
Did you like PE in high school?
36 Responses
Oh yes I remember the Illinois PE mile! Ours was 4 laps around the school campus, and a few of us used to hide behind the outbuildings for a few laps of our “mile”. You would never have predicted that I would have gone from faking a mile to taking up running in my mid 30’s.
Congrats on your miles. October 18th will be here very soon.
Ha ha! Well, I didn’t mention it but our track was in the basement, which meant there were pillars running from floor to ceiling. Sometimes we would try to hide behind the pillars until the rest of the class lapped us, and joined them as if we had been running the whole time. So I also faked the mile!
Lizard is great for runners! I do like pigeon, and it’s in my practice, but for many people it’s way to hard on their knees and there are much more knee friendly variations. I am planning a restorative practice video (hoping to get it done today, but may not happen) — I know that’s not your jam though. But props can help a LOT with pigeon!
I didn’t start running til my mid 40s. I HATED gym with a passion, and those presidential test were sheer torture. Yup, life takes us in funny directions.
Glad to hear there’s nothing broken, anyway, and a second opinion can’t hurt. I had pain on the side of one foot for a long time — the physical therapist thought it was from a tight sartorius. The exercises basically involved internal rotation of the hips. It did eventually go away, but you know that something else took its place.
Glad that you’re able to run a little again!
Yes, pigeon is hard on my knees, but it’s really my piriformis that’s extremely tight. I’ve learned not to push it too much (after some SI joint issues a few years ago.) I still do a modified pigeon though, because I do want to stretch out the area as much as possible.
Interesting- the pain on the side of your foot was possibly a tight sartorius? It’s true that the cause of the issues is usually not where the pain is, and that’s a perfect example.
I HATED PE, especially when I got into junior high and high school. Not being a natural athlete either, it felt like some sort of twisted means of torture to let the “naturals” shine while the rest of us were made fun of. Of course, that’s my subjective perspective LOL During a 10-mile race, a few years ago, one of the signs along the course said something like “Your HS PE teacher would be proud.” Ha!!! All of mine would be shocked and in total disbelief 😉
Kim, me too. I actually have a funny story from senior year PE which I’ll save for another time (possibly a blog post.) Isn’t it funny how we’re so into fitness now? I’ll bet a lot of those PE “superstars” turned into sedentary adults!
A runner doctor is the best choose. I am sure he will solve the situation.
My family doctor is a runner and his favorite quote is: “Running is the cure”!
Congrats on your 2 miles, you are on the right way!!!
When I was a kid we had “The youth games” and our running races were through the country.
I want to go to your doctor, ha ha!
Your “youth games” sound really fun- much better than running around and around an indoor track (did I mention the track was in the basement? I don’t think it could have been any more unpleasant!)
Hope the new doctor helps! I disliked school PE because I was a year ahead of myself, but no one ever took any account of that so I was last, weakest, smallest – I wonder why1
That sounds unpleasant! On the other end of the spectrum, I was tall for my age but not athletic, so I just felt big and awkward. I appreciate the good intentions behind PE, but I think it can do more harm than good.
LOL on no longer asking “why”. I’m glad the MRI was clear, although I know it’s frustrating to not know what’s going on. I hope the podiatrist helps you — maybe he’ll suggest shockwave therapy. 😉
I got out of some PE requirements by doing sports, but still had my share of grumbling over PE classes — in our gym uniforms that was a cotton polo shirt and cotton shorts — oh the chafing!
Yes, there were so many things wrong with PE back then. Those uniforms… in middle school they were like a weird one-piece thing… ugh.
I am glad your MRI was clear. Hope the new Dr can guide you towards the right treatment. So nice to hear that you enjoyed some of my yoga for runners suggestions. I really love those focus classes and they hit all of the runner hot spots. A mile can do wonders mentally! Have a good week and feel good too
Thank you Deborah! I’ll probably do a couple more of your yoga class suggestions later today.
I’m glad the MRI was clear, but I know how frustrating it is to not have a clear answer. I hope seeing the podiatrist is helpful! Hang in there!
Thank you Michelle! I was really frustrated originally but now I’m like- hey, if the MRI didn’t show anything major, I’m running!
I hope the podiatrist can help!
It is wild how even just one mile boosts one’s spirits…
PE every day?? Wow! That’s so much. I grew up in Wisconsin and I think ours way 2-3 times a week.
Yes, PE was every day! We hated it so, so much in high school. I’m sure the jocks loved it though.
I hope you get answers from the podiatrist! Anxious to hear what you find out.
As you know, I’m easing back into running. I couldn’t run an unbroken mile right now, and I’m ok with that. I’m doing my little intervals. Hoping I’ll be able to increase them from one minute, lol
I’ve had a few “return to running” buildups where I increased it by one minute increments- it’s surprising how fast you’ll work back up to full running. Glad you’re back out there! It would truly suck if you couldn’t take advantage of the beautiful fall weather.
Interesting and good news that the MRI showed nothing going on. That said, I hope a podiatrist can help you get to the bottom of the mystery pain. After Freshman year I no longer had gym because I attended “advanced dance” because I was a member of the school dance company. My kids though had to run “the mile” every week throughout middle school. They both dreaded it but they got faster and faster!
Ah, sounds like your family is a little more athletic than mine! Here in Florida it’s possible to escape PE starting in middle school by being in band (ha- not quite the same thing as advanced dance.) My son eventually started working out on his own, and I’m hoping my daughter will get to that same place.
Well that’s got to be frustrating not getting an answer. I hope the podiatrist is able to help you. I can’t remember, do you wear custom orthotics? If not, perhaps they’ll be a solution. I had PF for two years and couldn’t get it to go away even with PT. Once my orthotics arrived and I started wearing them, my PF went away in two weeks.
I didn’t watch the Chicago marathon. I didn’t have the TV on until mid-afternoon when we turned it on to watch football.
I loved PE so much in high school that in seventh grade I knew I wanted to become a PE teacher (our high school was 7th-12th). I taught health and PE for two years out of college, but then switched over to working in a gym and personal training. Now I have my own PT business.
Ha ha, our high school selves were polar opposites!!! You’re definitely an example of a HS PE success story.
Interesting question- I did use to wear custom orthotics but stopped many years ago. It’s one of the things I’m going to discuss with the doctor.
Isn’t it funny how things change when we get older? I also had to run the mile in New York State and hated it. Now I love running and I wonder how I would do with a time trial. Probably much better than my 6th grade self! Hope you are feeling better soon. And good luck with the new doctor.
Ha ha, no question that my slowest mile now would still be faster than my high school time! I guess that’s a good way to look at it.
How frustrating!! But so glad you are getting those miles done, one day at a time. I think not knowing what’s going on is always worse than an actual diagnosis.
I hated PE so much at school. I was so un-athletic – more embarrassed to be honest that I wasn’t good at it. I look back and just wish I had tried more and not cared what anyone around me thought or if I was in last place. Maybe I would have grown to enjoy it more?
Yes, that’s a great point- I wish I had been less focused on not “being good” at it and just tried to enjoy it.
I’m watching Boston Marathon right now! It’s bringing back lots of great memories for me. My app keeping binging with runner updates! Fun stuff.
I do remember running the mile in gym class. We ran indoor and I was not an athlete. I hyperventilated someplace along that mile and my teacher made me finish. I was so ticked off, and embarrassed. It was probably a 20 minute mile! I especially disliked gym class because my last name started with a “B” and we lined up by last name. I always had to do things first. That’s stressful!
Sorry you are getting any good answers on your foot. I hope the new Dr has some insight to the issue and solutions!
That sounds horrible! I never really appreciated having a last name that starts with “s” but I do now. It’s amazing that any of us got into running with a start like that!
I’m so glad you were able to run.
OMG. I hated the mile. And the rope climb. And the flexed arm hang. Those were the worst tortures in the world. The. Worst.
Yes, they really knew how to make exercise horrible, didn’t they?
I’m a big fan of the lizard and pigeon moves, especially when my hips are feeling super tight.
I used to be able to do pigeon! Not sure what happened there, but I’m working on it.
I LOVED P.E. in highschool and went on to study P.E. in college. I always saw not just the physical, but also social benefits of P.E. (my Dad was a P.E. teacher and a really dedicated one).
I am so glad you are slowly able to run a mile or two. It must feel glorious!
You’re actually the second person on here that loved PE and went on to study it in college! Now it seems crazy that I disliked it so much.